March 4, 2015 by thepinkstarfish

Cruelty-Free Cosmetics: What it Means + Where to Find Them!

In the simplest explanation, ‘cruelty-free’ cosmetics companies ensure that none of their products are tested on animals. When buying products that are cruelty-free, you want to look for the “Leaping Bunny” seal on the product and/or the website. Only products bearing the Leaping Bunny mark are certified ‘cruelty free’ under the rigorous internationally-recognized Humane Cosmetics or Humane Household Products Standards. You can read more about that here.

Favorite Cruelty-Free Drugstore Makeup

Burt’s Bees

This planet-friendly brand also has a robust makeup line that is also animal-testing free. While they do clearly identify the Leaping Bunny logo on their products, they are owned by Clorox. Clorox does test on animals, so this could be a conflict of interest for you if you due to their parent company.

Flower Cosmetics

I started using this brand not too long ago, as I was intrigued after watching an interview with Drew Barrymore. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised! I am in love with their lip gloss and the Skincognito stick foundation, which is a gym-bag essential for me. Please note: the brand is only available at Wal-Mart.

NYX

This is a brand I really like and use a lot in my own everyday makeup and with clients. Just for clarity, the L’Oreal acquisition does not change NYX’s ethical policies as they continue to be cruelty-free. In addition, “most products are vegan/gluten-free, but some do contain animal derived ingredients and/or could contain gluten. Always read the label for every product do It is best for the customer to decipher if there is any ingredient that could be derived from animals and/or contains gluten.” Happy shopping!

Physicians Formula

In addition to being a great option for our sensitive skin ladies, this makeup brand is also kind to animals. My personal favorites are the bronzers, and they do have a great product line for mature women that ranges from anti-aging to hormonal aging products.

Here are a few other drugstore brands to check out:

Nuance by Salma Hayek (exclusively at CVS)
Milani
ELF
Kiss My Face
Wet ‘n Wild

Additional Brands that are Easily Accessible

bareMinerals/Bare Essentuals /BUXOM

bareMinerals makeup is one of my personal favorites especially when I need to give my skin a break from traditional foundation and in the summer months. Make sure you use the primer or you will not achieve your desired look!

The company does state that they do not conduct animal testing or work with manufacturers that do…however, their “natural hair” makeup brushes are made of goat and pony hair. While they claim no animals are hurt in the making of the brushes, they do have high a nice variety of high-end synthetic brushes for consumers who are looking for non-animal haired brushes.

Urban Decay

You can find this at your local Sephora and this cruelty-free brand has a plethora of awesome products. I use their eye shadow primer on almost all of my clients. Love it! They do have some vegan certified products as well, if that is your thing!

The Body Shop

Tried and true, this brand has been around for a while and has a great selection of cruelty-free products for your makeup needs. Personal favorite: All-in-One BB Cream– fantastic for your skin and doesn’t settle into fine lines. Win win!

Jane

Cruelty-free, Women Owned and eco-friendly. What I love most about this company is that not only are they kind to our furry friends, but owner and CEO Lynn Tilton is passionate about creating and saving American jobs. Check out their eye shadow sets and lip-gloss sets for under $20.00 at your local Ulta and some Kohl’s retailers.

There is a ton of information out there, but like all things, the more educated you are, the better decision you will be able to make for yourself. Here are a few more helpful links:

Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics Shopping Guide

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

Leaping Bunny

March 1, 2015 by thepinkstarfish

L’Oreal Haul: Looking Infallible®

Not too long ago I was in Target and decided I wanted to test out the Infallible^® line by L’Oreal. Since I had a black-tie masquerade ball to go to this weekend, I decided to go with a red and gold theme, which matched my mask. I have to say I was really pleasantly surprised with this line, as it held up all day and photographed well. Take a look at the steps below to recreate my look on your own.

Eyeshadow:

I started with my eyes, in case the eye shadows fell (I didn’t want them messing up my foundation). I used Infallible^® 24 HR Eye Shadow ($7.99) in “Iced Latte,” “Eternal Sunshine” and “Bottomless Java.”

– Apply the light shadow (Iced Latte) all over the lid as a smooth base cover for the darker colors.
– Next, use the medium color “Eternal Sunshine” using an eye shadow brush, up to the crease, from the lower lid. Make sure you blend continuously so you don’t have any harsh lines.
– To smoke out my look further (as this will be an evening look), I used “Bottomless Java,” which is a rich dark brown color. I tend to opt for darker browns for a smoky eye- paired with a red lip- it provides a less “harsh” look than traditional black.

Eyeliner:

I used Infallible^® Silkissime Eyeliner: ($8.99) in “Black” on the upper lash line, and “Gold” on the lower lash line. My eyes tend to be a bit sensitive to eyeliners and I found this to glide on easily and stay in place throughout the day. Simply apply the eyeliner along the upper lashline, and out from the corner of your eye.

Brows:

Starting at the inner corner of the brow, I worked the Brow Stylist^® Plumper ($8.99) in shade “Medium to Dark,” in the more sparse areas of my brown and filled in the rest with a pencil. The gel grabs all the fine hairs and holds them in place, while you are easily able to create a more dramatic brow (as I like to do for evening looks).

Mascara:

I applied numerous coats of Voluminous^® Million Lashes Excess ($8.95), in “Black,” which made my lashes look like a million bucks! True to promise- no clumps, even after multiple applications to get my desired look.

Lashes:

Da Vinci lashes…100% human hair. Held up all night. Awesome!

Foundation:

After moisturizing, I applied my Armani color corrector (no not red lipstick to cover up dark circles) and Bobbi Brown concealer. I know- two products off the reservation, but mama was looking tired and I didn’t want to take any chances!

I then used Infallible^® Pro-Matte Foundation ($14.99) which provided a fantastic demi-matte finish that was completely breathable. It also covered minimal imperfections fairly easily as the coverage is buildable. I used “Shell Beige.”

Pressed Powder:

I finished with Infallible^® Pro-Matte Powder ($16.99) in “Nude Beige,” to set the entire foundation/corrector/concealer look. This provided great light-weight pressed powder. This is an awesome product if you tend to get shiny throughout the day, as the matte finish that has held up for about 10 hours with no signs of giving up! I didn’t powder near my eyes, as it tends to bring out the fine lines I have there.

Lips:

For this, I used Infallible^® Pro-Last Lipcolor: ($12.99) in “Cherry Noir.” I absolutely love love love this two step product. First, apply the color and then seal with the “Pro-Seal” lip balm, and you are all set! My lips tend to get very dry during the winter and they felt amazing all day.

Setting Spray:

To completely set my look, I finished with the Infallible^® Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray ($16.99). I normally am a slave to my MAC Fix+, but I have to say that this did not feel sticky as some other sprays tend to feel, it is oil free, and set my look in place, and out of the fine lines around my eyes!

So, there you have it! Hope you enjoyed this post and you give the products a try!

Xx,
S

February 26, 2015 by thepinkstarfish

Glam Session: Accentuating Eyes + Cheekbones

It has been FOREVER since I have posted a blog…so much going on! But…I did have the opportunity to work with an absolutely gorgeous Moroccan beauty over the weekend. I really wanted to accent her stunning cheekbones and eyebrow/eye structure. Here is a list of the products used to create this look:

Foundation: MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation #118
Eyes: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Eye Shadow: DIOR 5-Colour 796 Cuir Cannage
Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Lashes: DIOR Dior SHOW Mascara
Contouring: Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette
Highlighting: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
Lips: DIOR Rouge Dior Couture Colour Voluptuous Care Lipstick

Till next time!

February 5, 2015 by thepinkstarfish

Working with Eye Shadow…

A lot of the women that I speak to are very shy about using color on their eyelids. I can say that majority of this fear comes from not knowing how to choose and layer colors appropriately, which is the trick to creating any makeup look. Here are a few tips and tricks to get you started.

Color Matching

Remember the color wheel from art class? Well, it comes in handy with makeup too! The most natural way to enhance your eye color is to use a color wheel as your guide. You want to chose a color that is opposite of your natural/current eye color. For instance, my eyes are mossy green, so I will use deep mauves and purples to make my eyes pop. Note: colors towards the inside of the wheel are more classic, and are better for daytime. Outer wheel colors tend to be very bold and best suited for evening. As always, choose according to your preference and personal style/comfort level.

You may notice that many shadows come in sets of 3 or 4- these complimentary sets are great to help pull together a cohesive look. When working with shadows, apply the mid-tone shade on the lid as your base, then gently add the darkest shade in the crease to contour- slowly building in intensity until you get the desired look, and finally, add the lightest shade on the brow-bone to highlight. And always remember to blend blend blend! You don’t want harsh lines where color begins and ends.

Blue Eyes:

Earthy tones like light golden brown, taupe and even mossy greens are perfect for bringing out the warmth in blue eyes during the day. The deeper and richer the color, the more bold the look. Dark blues accented with rosy mid-tones are perfect for nighttime as well.

Green Eyes:

As stated above, shades in the mauve/lilac family are the way to go. Mochas, deep purples, and even smoky mossy greens can all be added in layers to complete a bolder evening look.

Hazel Eyes:

From terracotta and peaches, to lighter oyster colors and shades of light lavender during the day, to deep navy and aluminum grays at night, hazel eyes are a treat, because you can basically choose from any color on the wheel to work with. Lucky you!

Brown Eyes:

Fret not my brown-eyed beauties! Browns have a wealth of depth to them. Stick to colors like sand, copper and gold during the day. Stay away from muddy brown colors though- lighter taupe/sand colors works best for a classic daytime look. For evening, try cobalt, deep navy, or even eggplant colors to make a bold statement.

Want to schedule a 1:1? Contact samantha@getglammakeup.com!

January 16, 2015 by thepinkstarfish

Foundation 101: A Quick Overview & Recommendations

I get a lot of questions about the different types of foundations out there, so I put together a basic list to get you started. Keep in mind- everyone has a different skin type, so it is important to know what will work best with your skin before buying. These are just recommendations. I am also going to give you a cheat sheet for what I call “Counter/Aisle Products”…meaning- foundations you buy at a makeup counter/store or products you can buy in a drugstore aisle of Target/CVS. Let’s get started.

Where to Shop:

Depending on the type of makeup you get, if can be a bit of an investment. Sephora will accept returns on products gently used (i.e. foundation color is incorrect). Nordstrom hopes to build trust & loyalty by not having a return policy and focusing on customer satisfaction. When testing new products or if you are on a budget, I recommend shopping at CVS, which offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of their beauty purchases. What’s not to love about that?

Caution- check policies before you assume it is always this way across the board, for instance, MAC has a limit on the amount of time you have to make a return/get a refund. OK, let’s get started!

Foundation Primer:

Fine lines? Wrinkles? Large Pores? This is a necessary step for filling in those imperfections and/or making your foundation application seamless. It will also help your foundation go the distance all day.

Counter Pick: Laura Mercier Foundation Primer or Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Foundation Primer
Aisle Pick: L’Oreal Paris Magic Perfection Base Face Primer

Liquid Foundation (Sometimes know as cream):

Liquid foundation is what it says- a foundation that comes in “liquid form.” With varying types of buildable coverage (meaning- how much you put on) they come in a number of different varieties to suit your needs- SPF, waterproof, 12-24 hour, oil-free and organic are just a few individualized options you have to chose from.

Counter Pick: NARS Sheer Matte Foundation
Aisle Pick: L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup

Oil-Based Foundation:

I tend to recommend this for ladies that aim to minimize pores, fine lines and/or wrinkles as it is an excellent choice as the makeup of this foundation adds moisture to your skin and doesn’t settle into these lines. Generous shaking of your foundation is necessary before application as the oil separates in the bottle.

Counter Pick: Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup Revolutionary Complexion Corrector
Aisle Pick: Rare to find these… try this instead: CoverGirl + Olay Tone Rehab 2-In-1 Foundation/Base

Powder Foundation:

This all in one combo is a favorite amongst my mom and on-the-go friends. Be sure you have a discussion or know about your skin type before you buy- works best for ladies with oily skin. Also, make sure your skin is well moisturized before application.

Counter Pick: MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation
Aisle Pick: CoverGirl Ready, Set, Gorgeous Fresh Complexion Powder Foundation

Waterproof Foundation:

OK, duh. It’s waterproof. Need we say more? There are very few options I like at drugstores though. Just be careful as they can clog pores, which can wreak havoc on skin- especially in the warmer months/climates.

Counter Pick: CLINIQUE Superbalanced Makeup
Aisle Pick: Maybelline New York Super Stay 24HR Makeup

Airbrush/Spray Foundation:

Newer on the scene for many commercial shoppers, when applied correctly, this foundation provides a near perfect finish. It is typically great for all skin types, especially ones that are prone to breakouts due to contamination or oil transfer from hands or makeup brushes. You control the buildup- but practice is needed. A lot of practice.

Counter Pick: Dior Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation
Aisle Pick: Luminess Air Matte Airbrush Foundation

Tinted Moisturizer:

If you have fairly even skin tone and you are into light coverage, tinted moisturizer is a great option for you. A very sheer cover packed with moisture is what you get from these products. Great option for light coverage at the gym, on vacation or warm summer months.

Counter Pick: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 (This is also100 point perk at Sephora a lot…look for it- try it out!)
Aisle Pick: Aveeno® Active Naturals Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

Sheer Foundation:

Like to look like you are wearing nothing at all? This is for you. Sheer foundation is exactly what it sounds like. This is a great option for those who aren’t into heavier coverage.

Counter Pick: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
Aisle Pick: NEUTROGENA® Healthy Skin® Glow Sheers Broad Spectrum SPF 30

“Oil-free” Foundation:

Oil-free of “matte” foundation was specifically created for women who have oil issues with their skin. If you have oily skin, look for “Matte” or “Semi-Matte” finish foundations.

Counter Pick: MAC Studio Fix Fluid
Aisle Pick Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Makeup

Mousse or Whipped Foundation:

Ah, marketing… Mousse/Whipped foundations are liquid makeup with air “whipped” in. The benefit is that the foundation is very light and glides on smoothly, and usually gives a great matte finish and is pretty decent for all skin types.

Counter Pick: Marc Jacobs Beauty Marvelous Mousse Transformative Oil–Free Foundation
Aisle Pick: Rimmel Stay Matte Mouse Foundation

Stick Foundations:

As a busy mom, this is a must-have in my arsenal. Stick foundations tend to be heavier on the coverage (but you can bring it down by also adding some moisturizer to your face prior to application). While I don’t recommend them for all over face coverage (as you can look very “cake-faced”) they cover up dark circles (hello!!), as well as imperfections like acne scars, dark/sun spots, etc.

Counter Pick: Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick
Aisle Pick: Maybelline New York Fit Me Shine Free Foundation

Mineral Foundation:

Cult favorite, bareMinerals mineral foundation is the one you are probably most familiar with. If you are looking for an organic/natural option for your foundation, this is your pick. Mineral foundations are made with limited ingredients and often come with large fluffy brushes to help you “buff” the product into your skin after using a primer. However, the bareMinerals foundation listed below is best applied with this brush.

Counter Pick: bareMinerals bareSkin® Pure Brightening Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20
Aisle Pick: L’Oreal Bare Naturale Mineral Foundation

Again- you must know your skin type before buying. These are just some recommendations to point you in the right direction. If you have combination skin or super dry/oily skin, you may need to do a bit of testing first. Questions? Contact us and we can set you up with a personalized consultation.

January 11, 2015 by thepinkstarfish

New Tutorial: Sundays Are for Pinups

Earlier today, a girlfriend tagged me in a post this morning about red lips and I thought, what better way to keep trying out my new Temptu Airbrush system, than to create a flawless faced pinup look! So, here are the products I used to create this look!

Skin Cream: La Mer
CC: Giorgio Armani Luminessence Color Control Bright Moisturizer
Color Corrector: Giorgio Armani Master Color Corrector in Peach
Foundation: Temptu Airbrush Foundation in Sand (004)
Contouring: Temptu Airbrush Foundation in Clay (008)
Highlighteer: Temptu Soft Focus Finish Highlighter in Gold (302) POD
Eyeshadow: Smashbox Cosmetics (From their Master Class Palette Color & Contour Photo OP Eye Shadow Collection:
Lid: Oyster
Crease: Vanilla & Flirt
Outer Corners: Smoke
Corners of Eye: bareMinerals Eyecolor in Nude Beach
Brows: Too Faced Bulletproof Brows in Universal Brunette
Eye Liner: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Eyelashes: Eylure #110 in Black
Mascara: DIOR: Diorshow Blackout #099
Lip Liner: Milani Easylinerfor Lips Retractable Liner in Cherry Pie
Lipstick: Yves St. Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine #4
Illuminating Finishing Powder: bareMinerals Illuminating Mineral Veil
Setting Mist: MAC Fix+ Skin Refresher/Finishing Spray

Brushes:

Chanel Large Powder Brush #6
Sephora PRO Airbrush #55
Sephora PRO Crease #10
Sephora PRO Tapered Crease #19

January 10, 2015 by thepinkstarfish

#TheGreatCleanse: Nourishing Cleansing Oils Are Where It’s at!

Ugh, winter can be so rough on your skin, and if you are anything like me, the colder it gets, the more work it takes to keep your skin looking fresh and moisturized. I’ve rounded up a few of the products that I like and would recommend for anyone that has oily or dry skin. The beauty of these products is that while they are tough on removing makeup and dirt, they do it so gently, and leave your skin feeling supple and they help to balance out your skin’s natural production of oils, while protecting your skin during the harsh winter winds!

While I normally indulge on facial products, I have to say my absolute favorite is Garnier Clean+ Nourishing Cleansing Oil. This product boasts a “formula, infused with nourishing Jojoba and Macadamia Oil, helps replenish skin’s moisture balance.” It immediately dissolves makeup and leaves you feeling super clean. I will say this:

Make sure you are washing your face with warmer water- if the water is cool, it takes a little longer to get to turn the chemical state of the oil.
Don’t buy if from the Garnier site. Target and Walgreens often has it in stock and for at least $2 less. 🙂

Next up is a tried and true product that I have used for a while. Clinique’s Take the Day Off Cleansing Oil, has been awesome during the times when my skin felt a little oily. It calms your skin while simultaneously working to correct the issues going on with your skin.

Lastly, is ORIGINS Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil. At $30 this is a little more of an investment, but well worth it. One thing I love about this is the aroma of the lemon, grapefruit, and orange, not to mention the awesome clean and refreshing feeling it leaves behind. Macadamia and Kukui Nut help to keep skin supple and nourished.

Happy nourishing loves!

January 9, 2015 by thepinkstarfish

Meaningful Beauty: 2 Year Review

I often get a lot of questions about my skin and the products that I use, so I thought I would write up a quick post to talk to you about Cindy Crawford’s Meaningful Beauty product line. According to my Instagram account, I started using Meaningful Beauty in April of 2013. What a difference two years makes!
I never really had any issues with my skin, but as I started getting older I noticed those tell tale lines that start to develop in your thirties. AH! So, after looking into the product line and researching the ingredients, I took the plunge. I also felt confident that her system would work well with my occasional use of Proactiv, as Guthy-Renker LLC., is their parent company.

I have to say that I cannot live without these products now! I love the fact that you can completely customize your shipments, which is great because I tend to go through some products sooner than the others. So, here are the steps and products I use.

Wash with the Skin Softening Cleanser. This is a very gentle and mild product that does not strip your skin or natural oils and leaves your skin feeling exceptionally soft and supple.
I then use a facial cotton ball to swipe the Pore Refining Toner across my cheeks. It is pretty odorless and does not sting or burn your face, which is especially great if you have sensitive skin.
Next up is the Lifting Eye Crème which helps reduce the look of fine lines (which I was desperately trying to tackle as a preventative measure). It is also phenomenal at reducing under eye puffiness and dark circles. As a new mom for the third time, I cannot tell you all how much I love this product!
Then, I use the Glowing Serum- nectar of the gods!! I swear this is why 1/2 the people that tell me how amazing my skin looks!
I then use the Antioxidant Day Crème. This product contains a good dose of anti-aging ingredients that help brighten and bring new life to your skin. I am not a huge fan of SPF creams, but I have to say this is so light and non-greasy. I love it.
Last up is the Crème de Sérum. I cannot tell you how much I love this product. It is like a treat for your face- and I often order two in my kits, just to make sure I never run out!
In the evenings, I use the Firming Serum and finish with the Anti-Aging Night Crème and Wrinkle Smoothing Capsules. All are so luscious, it literally feels like a spa treatment.

I know that sounds like a lot of steps, but the whole routine is pretty much under 5 minutes, which is about all the time I have in the morning. If I am super pressed for time, the Lifting Eye Crème and the Antioxidant Day Crème are my necessary needs.

I have to say that I love the way my skin looks and feels and I have really been able to move towards wearing less and less makeup in the two years since I started the system.

Have you all tried it? Let me know what you think!

January 8, 2015 by thepinkstarfish

NYC…I Came. I Saw. I Contoured.

Hi my darlings! Well, it has been a while since I last wrote. To be honest, I wanted to take a little time away to enjoy the recent trip my husband and I took to NYC. I did a lot of shopping, and will be showing some of my awesome finds in a few posts coming up, so stay tuned for those and a big announcement at the end of the week! I’m so excited to share my news!

Sephora Fifth Avenue New York City So…If you haven’t already been there, the Fifth Ave. Sephora in NYC is hands down one of my favorite places. It is just so beautiful – I snapped a picture so you all could just sit back and take in all its beauty for a moment. 🙂 Yes, multiple floors of absolute amazingness.

Another makeup artist put me on to Kat Von D’s Lock-It Tattoo Foundation, which I will be testing and posting a tutorial on shortly. I also purchased a few new brushes and my not to secret weapon Alpha Beta Glow Pads by Dr. Dennis Gross. I LIVE by them!!! I will say that if you have sensitive skin, this may be a little strong for you. Sephora sells small packs of them, so trial the packs and see how you do.

Screen Shot 2015-01-07 at 11.05.49 PM My other super fun trip was to Saks Fifth Avenue, where I picked up this awesomeness: Giorgio Armani Beauty. I had all of these products applied while I was in NYC for a shoot and I loved it! My skin looked flawless and felt amazing, which has prompted me to create a tutorial on this as well. I will be posting that tomorrow. I know- these products are an not cheap, but they are amazing and having a foundation that provides awesome coverage and leaves your skin feeling and looking great, is worth it.

La Mer

I also decided to pull the trigger and get La Mer’s Crème de la Mer, a huge investment, by my standards. My skin feels amazing already! I’ll post a 30-day review soon!

So… stay tuned, I plan to be doing a lot of blogging tomorrow morning! Here’s a sneak peek from my shoot last week- before hair and makeup got underway!

December 30, 2014 by thepinkstarfish

Tutorial: Boudoir Meets Natural Romance

Hi loves! So, I have gotten a ton of questions on Instagram about my current profile picture, which was a play off of the Too Faced Boudoir Eyes palette and a few other products. I wanted to write a quick tutorial of the steps I took so you can create the look on your own! What I love most about this palette was that the look was super soft for the day time, but with just a bit of eyeliner, the look transitioned to a romantic night out, which was the case that day!

Too Faced Boudoir Eyes So, this is what the palette looks like, if you don’t have it already. Seriously, go buy it! Being a Sephora VIB Rouge member, I’m going to say to buy it there! 🙂

I like this brand as it is a moderately priced product that is high quality. However, I would definitely recommend using a shadow primer first, to extend the life of your eyeshadow and prevent those super unsightly creases. Yuck!

The palette comes with their signature “Glamour Guide” which includes three separate looks, and true to their tag line- you actually can create “3 looks in 3 steps in 3 minutes.” For the purposes of this tutorial, I used the “Classic” look, which is the middle block. So… let’s get started!

1. Apply an eyeshadow primer to your lids. I prefer Urban Decay’s Primer Potion– its super sheer and makes your eyeshadow last all day.

2. Once that sets, using a medium shadow brush, apply “Satin Sheets” from your lash line up towards your brow. DON’T get shadow into your brow!

3. Next, apply “Sugar Walls” on your lid, the crease of your eye, over and around your tear duct.

4. Finally, smudge “Garter Belt” into the upper and lower lash line. I then used “French Tickler” which was a little darker, to make the look more dramatic.

My foundation was Dior Diorskin Forever Flawless Perfection Wear Makeup, in “Linen.” I know- you are rolling your eyes, as this can be considered a little pricy, but a quality foundation will do wonders for your skin. Don’t put crap on your face. Period. If you are properly color matched, you can trash a bunch of old junk and stick with a great quality brand. And…a little goes a long way here so it will last you a while. Brows were done using my Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW™ Pomade, in “Dark Brown.”

My husband isn’t a total fan of red lipstick, so this palette worked perfectly with a grayish-pink lip color. I used NARS Audacious Lipstick, in “Barbara – Tan Rose.” Normally, I would line my lips, but just gently sweeping a clear pink lip gloss over it makes it a super soft and romantic look. I love my Yves Saint Laurent ROUGE PUR COUTURE Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain, in #19 Beige Aquarelle.

Last but not least is a product that I don’t think most girls would think to use with a traditional face of foundation, but I LOVE my bareMinerals Illuminating Mineral Veil. You truly can achieve that soft photo-finish look with this product. Love Love Love it! So, there you have it. A soft look for the day and a romantic look for evening- all in one!

OK- your turn! Tweet me @_PinkStarfish_ and let me see your work! 🙂